Posts Tagged ‘Spinal Canal’
Stenosis – Back Pain Test
Stenosis back pain originates in the spinal canal itself. Stenosis occurs when the spinal canal narrows, and compresses the nerves inside it. This compression of the nerves can lead to stenosis back pain, numbness in the legs, and the loss of bladder or bowel control. If left untreated, stenosis back pain can eventually become paralysis.
It is estimated that approximately 400,000 Americans currently have spinal stenosis back pain. That number is expected to increase as Baby Boomers age.
Defining Stenosis Back Pain
You probably know that the spinal column protects your spinal cord, a bundle of nerves, from being injured. In spinal stenosis, the spine narrows in one or more of three places: space at the center of the spine; canals where nerves branch outward from the spine itself; a space between the spine’s bones (vertebrae).
Stenosis back pain occurs when the narrowing puts pressure on the nerves inside the spinal column. Although this can occur in younger people, it is most often a complaint of those over 50 years of age.
Causes of Stenosis Back Pain
Spinal stenosis back pain can be caused by a number of factors.
1. Age is a primary factor. As we age, bands of supportive tissue in the spine may harden and thicken. Our bones and joints may enlarge as they age. We may get bone spurs on the spine – places where bone surfaces bulge outward.
2. Arthritis is another cause of spinal stenosis and accompanying stenosis back pain. Either osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis may be to blame. Osteoarthritis is the more common of the two. This type of arthritis usually is seen in middle-aged and older people, and does not go away. Osteoarthritis can cause the bone spurs described above. Rheumatoid arthritis is usually seen in younger people, and is not usually a cause of spinal stenosis back pain.
3. Inherited factors may also lead to stenosis and stenosis back pain. Some genetic conditions, such as a small spinal canal or curved spine, can cause spinal stenosis.
4. Other causes for your stenosis back pain could include calcium deposits, fluoride accumulation, or injuries.
Symptoms of Stenosis Back Pain
Stenosis back pain usually occurs in the neck or back. In addition to the stenosis back pain, you may feel pain down one leg, or numbness, weakness, cramping, and pain in legs or arms as the nerves are compressed.
Stenosis Back Pain Test Problem
The problem with tests for spinal stenosis is that the conditions shares symptoms with so many other disease. The result has too often been costly misdiagnoses and unnecessary back surgery, according to Andrew Haig, M.D., associate professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Michigan Medical School.
The following 3 tests are used to diagnose the cause of stenosis back pain.
1. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) -radio waves to picture the spine
2. Computerized axial tomography (CAT) – X-ray series to picture the spine
3. Electromyogram (EMG)- a test that not only gives a picture of nerves, but also tests nerve function, showing if there is actual nerve damage
Best Stenosis Back Pain Test
Of the three, the oldest, Electromyogram (EMG) has been found to be the best. This test has been around as long as, or longer than the Baby Boomers themselves, but a study published in the January 2006 issue of “Spine” shows that it is by far the best of the three tests.
That study, done by the University of Michigan Health System, shows that the EMG test accurately determines the cause of stenosis back pain. As a result, low back pain is less likely to be misdiagnosed, as are other common neuromuscular conditions with similar symptoms. Back surgery undertaken to cure misdiagnosed stenosis back pain can be avoided with this stenosis back pain test.
Tests done in the U of M study by Dr. Andrew Haig and his colleagues showed a substantial difference between those who have spinal stenosis and those with other types of back pain. It showed that use of the EMG allows experts to clearly distinguish between spinal stenosis and low back pain.
“Most doctors think of EMG as a simple test and incorrectly believe that it is sensitive for nerve damage, but cannot differentiate spinal stenosis form neuromuscular disease,” explains Haig. “But as this study shows, that’s not the case. In fact, EMG is an excellent test for spinal stenosis and other neuromuscular disorders using strict evidence-based criteria.” (Spine, Vol. 30, No. 23)
Anna Hart
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/stenosis-back-pain-test-122606.html
Get Rid From Back Pain
Back pain is in general a common problem that every one faces. It is a vulnerable problem that a person of any age experiences. Children, Adults, Pregnant woman, or a person of old age can also face the back pain problem. There may be several factors behind your back pain problem as it is not restricted only to one particular reason. And so people needs to face loads of trouble during back pain to cure it. Your prime duty is to know the causes and take some preventive measures so that you need not feel the pain during backache.
There can be varied causes for back pain:
Lumbar Muscle Strain: Straining of muscles is the most common cause of low back pain. Chances are bright in this case that a patient may completely feel relieve from muscle strain.
Spondylolisthesis: In this case the adjacent vertebra becomes unbalanced and begins to ‘slip’ which causes back pain and if it still prolongs then back pain can turn to be a serious problem.
Osteoporosis: A patient needs to face this problem because of compression fracture of the vertebra. You may face orthopedic problem and much of uneasiness too. It also leads to feeble bones.
Ruptured Disc: It is also called as Herniated Disc which causes back pain. The treatment of herniated disc depends and differs on an individual’s condition and circumstances. It is incorrectly being called in general as “Slipped Disc”, affecting the spine, in which a tear in the outer, fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft, central portion to bulge out. herniated discs are found in ? of adults older than 20.
Spinal Stenosis: This is a medical condition in which the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and nerve. In the aging population, when the spinal canal becomes too stiff then it can result into back pain. A patient suffering under this situation may even feel minor trauma causing irritation and nerve root impingement which indirectly results into back ache.
There are many of causes of back ache that can put you into serious health trouble. For acute back pain the underlying cause is meniscoid occlusion. You may get startled to know that the lower back pain causes also differ as per the person’s age. Some of the common causes of back pain for adults under age 50 include spinal disc, herniation and degenerative disc disease or isthmic spondylolisthesis. And for adults over age 50 include osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) and spinal stenosis, trauma, cancer, infection, fractures, and inflammatory disease.
Thus, to cure your back pain you need to practice exercises regularly. Collect information to know back pain causes and if the situation worsens then it is highly recommended to consult doctor for the betterment of your health.
Bella Mclaine
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/get-rid-from-back-pain-711776.html
Instant Injections For Instant Back Pain Relief
Back pain has become a very common problem that people suffer from. And reasons for it can be many. It can range from sitting or walking in bad postures to a fractured vertebra or other abnormalities in the spine.
So the best way to get your back pain treated is by first diagnosing the true cause and then offering the best treatment available. With revolutionary inventions in the field of medicine, there have come up many medications that are very effective in treating acute back pain problems. Latest in this line are instant relief injections.
Researchers have proved that people get more relief when the drugs are delivered in their body using injections. Some of the commonly used injections to cure back pain are:
Epidural Injections
The space that occurs in the spinal canal is termed as the epidural space. Back pain can occur due to the inflammation of the nerves and the soft tissues that are present in and around this area. Administration of epidermal steroid injections helps in reducing this inflammation, thereby bringing a constant relief to the patient. These injections are administered in a set of three. The list of backache problem that they treat is sciatica, spinal stenosis, disc herniation, radiculpathy and low back pain.
Facet Injections
The joints present at the posterior part of the spine are known as the facet joints. Between every vertebra, there occurs one set of two facet joints. Arthritis is the problem that creates problem in these joints. Arthritis in turn is a big cause of back pain. Administrating injection with the desired drug can bring instant relief to your back pain.
Transforaminal Epidural Injections
The injections falling in this category are administered to the pain causing nerve with the help of local anesthesia or steroids. The drug disables the specific nerve that was causing pain. The reason for this pain causing nerve can be an injury.
Intrathecal Pain Pump
Intrathecal space is the area around the spinal cord. A set of intrathecal pain pump injections is usually used to treat chronic back pain, pain due to cancer and also spasticity. The best part about these injections is that they have few side effects. The therapy involves the usage of a small pump. This pump is placed surgically under the abdomen. This set up helps to deliver the drug directly into the intrathecal space of the spine.
Sympathetic Blocks
An increased activity in your sympathetic nervous system can also be a cause of your acute back pain. The condition that arises due to this is termed as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS. As the name suggests, administration of these sympathetic blockers block the hyper-activity of these nerve cells, thus bringing instantaneous relief in your pain.
The spinal cord is a very important organ of the body. It is a passage of all the messages generated in body to brain. These injections have proved to be the best treatment available to cure back pain. The reason being that the drugs used in these injections are administered directly to the area where pain is occurring. And thus minimizes the side effects that may occur in the course of any other indirect treatment.
Ashish Jain
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/instant-injections-for-instant-back-pain-relief-119946.html
Common Car Accident Injuries
There is almost nothing worse than the hassle associated with car accidents. From dealing with insurance companies—both yours and the other driver’s—to addressing any health and injury issues that might have arisen as a result of the accident, these incidents can be complicated, tedious, costly and painful.
Back and Neck Injuries
A variety of injuries can result from automobile accidents, and back and neck strain are among the most common. Neck and back troubles arising from car accidents can take a variety of forms:
· pinched nerves – Often the trauma of an accident will squeeze nerves, causing muscle weakness and tingling and numbness of the skin.
· herniated disc – Sudden stops or an impact from behind can jolt discs out of their proper positioning. This condition is commonly known as a “slipped disc” or “ruptured disc.” To compare our anatomy to a jelly donut, in these injuries, the jelly gets squished out of the donut. When the injury is close to the spinal canal, the “jelly” presses against the spine, leading to a numb feeling and pain beside the nerve. Chemicals leaking from the ruptured disc can irritate the nerve and bring on more pain.
· Strained neck muscles – Muscles stretched or strained as a result of car accident trauma can also cause significant lingering pain.
· Neck sprains – When the tissue bands that connect bones (ligaments) are torn or stretched, sprains can occur. This leads to stiffness and a dull ache. Whiplash is the more common term for this type of injury.
Upper and Lower Limb Injuries
As one would guess limbs and extremities are vulnerable in car accidents. Fractures to hands, arms, shoulders, forearms, fingers and wrists often require splints or casts. Sometimes surgery is needed. Therapy may be essential after either of these to maximize strength and range of motion.
Rotator cuffs are also commonly injured in car accidents. MRI scanning procedures identify rotator cuff issues, but these tests are costly, so doctors often allow patients to finish their physical therapy before ordering an MRI. Reconstructive shoulder surgery is essential for severe shoulder injuries.
Hips, knees, heels, ankles, feet and legs are equally at risk and often damaged in car accidents. Ankle sprains, Achilles tendon injuries, ligament damage and stress fractures are common. Fractures often require a cast or surgery. Sometimes actual hip replacements or knee arthroplasty is needed.
Jennifer Kimberley
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/common-car-accident-injuries-584262.html
St. Louis Work Comp Lawyer Discusses Herniated Disc Injuries
Very few injuries that we commonly see can change a claimant’s life as dramatically as a “herniated disc“. Many similar terms are used almost interchangeably like “ruptured disc”, “disc protrusion” and “herniated nucleus pulposus”. Doctors often describe disc as being like a “jelly donut” between the vertebrae. When the disc material inside of the disc leaks out and touches on the “sciatic nerve”, severe pain often travels down the injured worker’s leg. Sometimes other structures are affected, like the “spinal cord” or the “spinal canal”. Disc injuries are most common found in the low back and neck and rarely occur in the mid-back. We see a lot of lumbar “laminectomies” in workers who do a lot of heavy lifting. A laminectomy or a microdiscectomy will often produce good results and in many instances injured workers will be able to return to rigorous work. If surgery is unsuccessful, a lumbar or cervical “fusion” may be needed. This often occurs with a condition called “spondylolisthesis” which involves a slippage of a vertebrae. In order to diagnose a disc problem an “MRI” is usually needed. If a condition is diagnosed as a “disc bulge” doctors will normally try treating the condition with physical therapy or steroid injections. If the MRI is negative, doctors may determine that they are dealing with a strained or sprained back or neck. Where surgery is contemplated, doctors will normally do a test called a “myelogram’ with a “cat scan” in order to get the best possible look at the problem. In those cases where multiple surgeries have been performed and a “fusion’ is the ultimate outcome, some injured workers may become “permanently totally disabled” which means that they are unable to work or compete in the “open labor market”. Everyone is different and it is difficult to generalize. I once had a client who had five surgeries, including a disc fusion, who had a body like Charles Atlas and was running 5 miles a day! In any event, if you are confronted with a serious back or neck injury, it is important to ask your attorney about the reputation of the doctor who is treating you.
The contents of this article are intended for educational use only in order to provide readers general information and a basic understanding of the law. If you are seeking legal advice, please consult a licensed professional attorney in your state. The information in this article should not be substituted for experienced legal advice.
Jeff Swaney
http://www.articlesbase.com/personal-injury-articles/st-louis-work-comp-lawyer-discusses-herniated-disc-injuries-721618.html
